A school board employee, Emmitt Whitfield, 46, is accused of racking up thousands of dollars in charges, all at the taxpayer's expense.More >>

A school board employee, Emmitt Whitfield, 46, is accused of racking up thousands of dollars in charges, all at the taxpayer's expense.More >>

BAKER, LA (WAFB) -

The former maintenance supervisor accused of taking several items from the Baker School System has been arrested for a third time.

In an emotional scene with family, Emmitt Whitfield turned himself into Baker Police Tuesday night on more charges of felony theft for unauthorized use of a fuel card.

The arrest warrant stated that Whitfield purchased fuel on days when he was not scheduled to work and that did not match up with recorded driving distances. The total amount of fuel purchased by Whitfield was $2,106.34.

Whitfield was booked into the East Baton Rouge Prison. He is being held on a $4,000 bond.

Whitfield's family believes that others are involved and that he is being targeted.

“If he's going to serve justice, serve it right,” his niece said to WAFB's camera.

A 9News Investigation detailed Whitfield's earlier arrests, which accuse him of buying tens of thousands of dollars' worth of odd items on the School District's tab. Police believe many of those items were pawned off. Click here to read more about what was stolen.

An audit ordered by Superintendent Ulysses Joseph revealed the extent of the alleged spending, which led to Whitfield's third arrest. Investigators say Whitfield has not been fully cooperative, and even more charges could surface.

“We're still continuing to investigate the whole matter. One of our biggest goals is to find out where the property is at and who else is involved,” said Lt. Greg Brown with Baker Police.

Moments after Whitfield was arrested, the Baker School Board accepted the Superintendent's early retirement, which will go into effect May 28th. Joseph said the timing of his retirement has nothing to do with the ongoing theft investigations.

“I think that a lot of folks would say yes, but no. I simply want that guy caught and taken care of as far as justice is concerned. We turned everything over to the Baker Police,” said Joseph.

In fact, Joseph applauded news of Whitfield's most recent arrest. As far as his reasons for leaving early, the Superintendent hinted at a lack of progress in the district.

“We just felt like sometimes things weren't going in the direction we wanted them to go in. I've said that a number of times. When you can't do anything about it, it's time to move on,” said Joseph.

The School Board also took the first steps towards finding Joseph's replacement which include forming a search committee and establishing a timeline.

Police said some of the hundreds of items, from disco balls to lawnmowers, missing from the Baker School System were pawned and others were possibly sold on the street, while Emmitt Whitfield, the man accused of taking the items, has now been arrested a second time.More >>

Police said some of the hundreds of items, from disco balls to lawnmowers, missing from the Baker School System were pawned and others were possibly sold on the street, while Emmitt Whitfield, the man accused of taking the items, has now been arrested a second time.More >>

That last text was sent September 19, half a day before Maria slammed into Puerto Rico. A week later, Jennifer's family in Louisiana is desperate to know what happened. The U.S. Coast Guard and the FBI are now looking for the missing boat.

That last text was sent September 19, half a day before Maria slammed into Puerto Rico. A week later, Jennifer's family in Louisiana is desperate to know what happened. The U.S. Coast Guard and the FBI are now looking for the missing boat.